An overseas Filipina worker (OFW) from Dubai was among the 50 victims lured to invest in a Php900-million bitcoin scam in the Philippines.
OFW Roseann Maglunog said she was in Dubai when she began investing in the online investment scheme November last year, reported Tempo.
Maglunog said she paid Php90,000 for three slots in her first investment, and the promised return of investment was given to her in the first few transactions.
She then decided to go all-in and paid Php160,000 for another three slots from December to January.
Maglunod also admitted that she initially encouraged a fellow OFW to join the investment scam.
The distressed OFW fell victim to a bitcoin scam introduced by Arnel Ordonio, 27 and his wife Leonady, owners of NewG, a firm which allegedly solicited investments from unsuspecting investors like Maglunod.
CIDG chief Dir. Roel Obusan said through the company NewG, the two convinced investors 30-percent return of investment every 15 days.
The two were able to amass a total of Php900 million from the scam.
Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) nabbed Arnel and Leonady last April 4 in an entrapment operation.
The two were charged with estafa, however, authorities are convinced to file a heavier case of economic sabotage against the Ordonios.
PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa presented the suspects at Camp Crame yesterday, April 10.
“If you encounter a scheme that is too good to be true, that is already a scam. Don’t let yourself be fooled and back out immediately,” Dela Rosa warned.
Meanwhile, Maglunod has this message to the suspects: “Our only plea is that you return our money because the people whom we encouraged to invest are now threatening us. I am receiving death threats also so please, give us our money back”.
PHOTO FROM: Inquirer
